Open My Eyes, Lord: Discovering the Treasures of God’s Word - Psalm 119:18
Introduction
Today, we gather around a prayer that has been whispered by the faithful for generations, a prayer that leads us into the very heart of God. Our focus is Psalm 119:18, where the psalmist prays:
“Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.” (Psalm 119:18, NLT)
This verse is a cry of humility, dependence, and hunger. It’s not just a request for physical sight but for spiritual illumination—to see, understand, and delight in the deep treasures of God’s Word.
This morning, we’ll unpack this verse together under three key themes:
The Call for Spiritual Sight.
The Wonders of God’s Word.
The Transformation that Comes from Truth.
As we explore these, I pray the Holy Spirit will stir our hearts to long for a deeper understanding of His Word and to live out its truths in our daily lives.
1. The Call for Spiritual Sight
The psalmist begins with a heartfelt request: “Open my eyes.” The Hebrew word for open here is galah, which conveys the idea of unveiling or uncovering. It’s as though the psalmist recognises that without divine help, the spiritual riches of Scripture remain hidden.
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, and it is a celebration of God’s Word. Verse 18 is one of many verses where the psalmist expresses his deep love for Scripture and his dependence on God to understand it fully.
In Ephesians 1:17-18 (NLT), Paul echoes this prayer: “asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called.”
Here, Paul prays for the “eyes of the heart” to be enlightened. This is the kind of sight the psalmist is asking for—a vision beyond the surface, a revelation of God’s deeper truths.
Think of a miner digging through layers of rock to find precious gems. Without the right tools, he would never uncover the treasures hidden beneath. Similarly, without God’s help, we can read Scripture but miss its beauty and depth.
Charles Spurgeon once said, “It is not the letter of the Word but the spirit of the Word that we need to see. Only the Spirit of God can reveal this to us.”
Have you asked God to open your eyes recently? Before you read Scripture, pause and pray this verse. Let it become your daily request. God delights in answering this prayer because it aligns with His will for us to know Him more.
2. The Wonders of God’s Word
The second part of the verse reveals the psalmist’s longing: “to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.” The word wonderful (Hebrew: pala’) refers to something marvellous, extraordinary, or beyond human comprehension.
The psalmist is not asking for new truths but for the ability to see the beauty and majesty of the truths already revealed in God’s Word. This aligns with Psalm 19:7-8 (NLT):
“The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living.”
God’s Word is filled with wonders—truths that revive, guide, and transform us. But these wonders are only visible to those who approach Scripture with faith and humility.
Imagine a stained-glass window in a cathedral. From the outside, it looks dull and unremarkable. But when you step inside, the sunlight streams through, revealing vibrant colours and intricate patterns. God’s Word is like that window. From a distance, it might seem ordinary, but when the light of the Holy Spirit shines through, its beauty is breathtaking.
John Piper writes, “The Bible is God’s self-disclosure in written form. It is not just to be read; it is to be marvelled at and cherished as the greatest treasure.”
Do you marvel at God’s Word? Approach it with a sense of wonder and expectation. As you read, ask God to reveal the treasures that will strengthen your faith and guide your life.
3. The Transformation that Comes from Truth
Seeing the wonders in God’s Word is not just an intellectual exercise; it’s meant to transform us.
Psalm 119:105 (NLT) says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” God’s Word illuminates our path, shows us the way to walk, and equips us to live in alignment with His will.
In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT), Paul reminds us, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
The purpose of God’s Word is transformation. It changes our hearts, renews our minds, and equips us to live for His glory.
Consider a sculptor chiselling away at a block of marble to create a masterpiece. Each strike of the chisel removes what doesn’t belong, revealing the beauty within. Similarly, God’s Word shapes us, removing what is not of Him and revealing His image in us.
As A.W. Tozer once said, “The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection.”
Let Scripture shape your character and guide your decisions. Don’t just read it—live it. Allow the truths you discover to transform your attitudes, actions, and relationships.
Conclusion: Open My Eyes, Lord
Psalm 119:18 is more than a prayer; it’s a lifestyle. When we ask God to open our eyes, we invite Him to reveal His wonders, guide our steps, and transform our hearts.
Call to Action:
As we leave today, let’s commit to making this prayer a regular part of our lives. Approach God’s Word with humility, wonder, and a willingness to be transformed.
Invitation to Faith:
If you’ve never experienced the transformative power of God’s Word because you don’t yet know Jesus as your Saviour, today is the perfect time to begin. Jesus is the Word made flesh, the ultimate revelation of God’s love and truth. Through Him, you can have a personal relationship with God and discover the life-changing treasures of His Word.
Let’s pray together that God would open our eyes to see His wonderful truths and that we would be transformed by His living and active Word.
